Report for Skamania County Sheriff's Office

At approximately 5:15 p.m. on Sunday, a small experimental aircraft crashed into the Columbia River off the northwest end of Skamania Island. The pilot, Douglas Nelsen from Portland, and his nephew, Scott Nelsen from Gresham, were able to get out of the aircraft and swim to a sand bar.

A fisherman in the area, Cam Crimshaw from Gresham, picked up the Nelsens and transported them to the Beacon Rock State Park Moorage where both men were seen by Skamania County EMS personnel and released with no injuries.

Douglas Nelsen reported they were flying low over the northwest end of Skamania Island and as he pulled up to gain altitude, the aircraft stalled and crashed into the Columbia River.

The aircraft is an experimental homebuilt manufactured by Kit Fox. It has a two cycle engine with approximately five gallons of fuel on board.

The FAA and the NTSB will be conducting the investigation into this matter.

At approximately 3:15 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 28, a rollover vehicle accident was discovered by a local area resident. The accident claimed the life of Rodney D. Peterson, 22, from Washougal.

Peterson was driving his green 1994 Toyota Pickup when it failed to negotiate a hairpin turn on Salmon Falls Road at the intersection with Wantland Road, approximately 14 miles northeast of Washougal.

Peterson was declared deceased at the scene.

The collision is under investigation by the Skamania County Sheriff's Office.